John Hynes talks about the lack of execution in the Devils' 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild.
Abbey Mastracco, Staff Writer, @AbbeyMastracco

NEWARK – The Devils may have one of the best penalty kills in the NHL but when their key penalty killers are taking penalties on a near-nightly basis it can be challenging.

In New Jersey’s 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday at Prudential Center, Zach Parise scored a power play goal 10 seconds after Ben Lovejoy caught Jason Zucker with a high stick. Blake Coleman took a penalty in his fifth straight game.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 09: Blake Coleman (20) of the New Jersey Devils moving the puck against the Minnesota Wild at Prudential Center on February 9, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.(Photo11: Elsa, Getty Images)

There are a few things to take away from Saturday’s game but this one may be the biggest.

Playing on the edge

Coleman has his doubts about the legitimacy of some of the penalties he’s taken in the last five games but he knows he's made a few effort-based mistakes. The fiery forward has always been able to effectively toe the line between playing with an edge and going over it, always able to keep his emotions in check before things boil over.

Right now, Coleman is admittedly operating on tired legs and the penalties have been a result of reacting to plays instead of being ahead of them.

“I’m chasing the game more than I have all season right now,” he said. “I’ve had a little less jump in my legs this last week or so here. I’ve got to find that pop again. When you’re feeling a step behind you tend to reach and use your stick a little more than you would have if you’re skating. That’s my focus right now is getting back to the way I was playing.”

Coach John Hynes is also dubious of some of those penalties but he can’t say he didn’t see this coming.

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 09: Greg Pateryn (29) of the Minnesota Wild and Blake Coleman (20) of the New Jersey Devils try to take control of the puck at Prudential Center on February 9, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey.(Photo11: Elsa, Getty Images)

Why he's fatigued

Coleman had a five-game point streak and points in six of his last eight games before the bye week. But since then the Devils have lost even more bodies due to injuries and trades and Coleman has been forced into a bigger role. The increased ice time may have also increased his fatigue.

This lack of production is exactly why the Devils have avoided putting Coleman on the penalty kill this season.

“A month or two months ago there was an outcry for Coleman to be on the power play,” Hynes said. “But when players are playing the right roles in those situations, that’s when they can continue to thrive.”

But New Jersey’s roster is so depleted right now they have veteran Drew Stafford playing on the second power play unit. They Devils need Coleman on the power play right now but they don't want those minutes to come at a detriment to one of their best forwards.

“Sometimes when guys get in those situations, they lose their way a bit,” Hynes said. “He needs to pay a certain style of game for him to be able to have success. And that’s what happens. Just because a player happens to be scoring goals at a particular time in the year, you don’t take them out of what they’re real good at.”

Grading Schneider

Schneider did little to lower his GAA but the stats aren’t as important as other aspects of his game right now. While Hynes said he played a solid game, Schneider himself said he was good but not great.

It’s clear the veteran goalie is still easing his way into a heavier workload after an injury-riddled few years.

“It’s good to play two in three days like this and I think my body felt better than it did the other night. I was pretty sore and pretty tired after,” he said. “I feel in shape, it’s just getting back into that game shape. More action is good sometimes, it keeps you in it. But part of the process is getting your legs back and trying to play a heavier workload.”